Operating element for an electrically controlled machine, and method for inputting a command into the controller of the electrically controlled machine

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an operating element ( 4 ) for an electrically controlled machine ( 2 ), comprising an operating element body ( 7 ) and a rotating wheel ( 10 ) for inputting a command into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ). The rotating wheel ( 10 ) is arranged on the operating element body ( 7 ) in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis, and the rotational axis is surrounded by a lateral surface on which the rotating wheel ( 10 ) can be gripped and rotated by a machine operator ( 5 ). The lateral surface ( 12 ) of the rotating wheel ( 10 ) is equipped with a first sensor region that is detected by at least one first sensor element, by means of which a contact of the first sensor region by means of the machine operator can be detected. Additionally, a gripping region which is arranged at a distance from the first sensor region is formed on the lateral surface of the rotating wheel ( 10 ). The invention further relates to a method for inputting a command into the controller ( 3 ) of the electrically controlled machine ( 2 ) while using the operating element ( 4 ).

The invention relates to an operating element for an electricallycontrolled machine, and to a method for inputting a command into thecontroller of the electrically controlled machine.

An operating unit for an injection molding machine is known from AT 512521 B1. The operating unit comprises an operating element for triggeringat least one movement of a drive unit of the injection molding machine,wherein the operating element is moveable from a basic position into atriggering region triggering the movement of the drive unit. Thetriggering region has a plurality of intermediate positions between thebasic position and a maximum position. The speed of the triggeredmovement of the drive unit is dependent on the distance of the selectedintermediate position of the operating element from the basic position.Movements of a plurality of drive units may be triggered by theoperating element, wherein a change in the drive unit actuated by theoperating element is effected by pressing, pulling, pivoting and soforth of the operating element.

The operating unit known from AT 512 521 B1 has the disadvantage that anoperating unit executing commands by pressing, pulling, pivoting and soforth must comprise a corresponding mechanical coupling with a switch.Such a coupling is prone to errors and expensive. Moreover, such acoupling is for example hard to realize in areas protected againstexplosion.

It was the object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantagesof the prior art and to provide an improved operating element. Inaddition to this, it was the object of the invention to provide animproved method for inputting a command into the controller of theelectrically controlled machine.

This object is achieved by means of an operating element and a methodaccording to the claims.

In accordance with the invention, an operating element for anelectrically controlled machine is designed with an operating elementbody and a rotating wheel for inputting a command into the controller ofthe machine, wherein the rotating wheel is arranged on the operatingelement body in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis, and therotational axis is surrounded by a lateral surface on which the rotatingwheel may be gripped and rotated by a machine operator. The lateralsurface of the rotating wheel is equipped with a first sensor regionthat is detected by a first sensor element, by means of which a contactof the first sensor region by the machine operator may be detected. Agripping region which is arranged at a distance from the first sensorregion is formed on the lateral surface of the rotating wheel.

The advantage of the embodiment in accordance with the invention of theoperating element is that by means of the operating element, a pluralityof different control commands may be performed, while the operatingelement has a simple structure. Moreover, the rotating wheel may becoupled to the operating element body by means of a simple rotatingsensor and no further movement, such as pressing, pulling or pivoting ofthe rotating wheel relative to the operating element body must bedetected. Thus, the rotating wheel may easily be sealed relative to theoperating element body, in order to for instance prevent an entry ofdust between the rotating wheel and the operating element body as far aspossible. Moreover, such a rotating sensor may comprise a robustconstruction.

Furthermore, it may be useful if the first sensor region and thegripping region are arranged at an axial distance from one another,wherein the first sensor region is entirely formed on the lateralsurface of the rotating wheel. In this regard, it is of advantage thatthe first sensor region may serve for confirming input commands, whereinthe confirmation command may be triggered by axial movement of the handof the machine operator.

Moreover, it may be provided for that the lateral surface of therotating wheel is equipped with a second sensor region, on which atleast one second sensor element is arranged, wherein the first sensorregion and the second sensor region are arranged at an axial distancefrom one another on the rotating wheel. In this regard, it is ofadvantage that by the use of a second sensor element in a second sensorregion, a further movement/position of the hand of the machine operatormay be detected and hence, the possibilities for inputting commands withthe rotating wheel may be further increased.

In addition to this, it may be provided for that the first sensor regionis arranged closer to the operating element body than the grippingregion. In this regard, it is of advantage that a confirmation commandmay be executed by shoving of the hand of the machine operator towardsthe operating element body.

Moreover, an embodiment, according to which it may be provided for thatthe second sensor region is arranged closer to the operating elementbody than the first sensor region, is also advantageous.

According to a further embodiment, it is possible that the lateralsurface of the rotating wheel comprises an offset, wherein in particularthe first sensor region or the second sensor region are arranged on afront side on the offset. In this regard, it is of advantage that theoffset may serve as a stop for the hand of the machine operator and thathence, the machine operator may be provided with a feedback as to theposition their hand is currently located in.

Furthermore, it may be useful if the first sensor region or the secondsensor region extend from the front side of the offset into a peripheralregion of the offset. In this regard, it is of advantage that thus, itmay also be detected by the sensor if the machine operator grips theoffset in the peripheral region and hence executes a separate command.

In addition to this, it may be provided for that in a peripheral regionof the offset, a third sensor region with at least one third sensorelement is formed. In this regard, it is of advantage that a contact ofthe peripheral region by the hand of the machine operator may bedetected as an independent input command by means of the third sensorelement and that the machine operator is hence provided with anadditional command possibility.

It may further be provided for that no sensor element is arranged in thegripping region of the rotating wheel. In this respect, it is ofadvantage that the gripping region may serve for gripping and turningthe rotating wheel, while by absence of the hand of the machine operatoron the remaining sensors, the position of the hand may be unambiguouslyassigned without an additional sensor being required in this regard.This facilitates the structure/reduces the error-proneness of therotating knob.

According to a specific embodiment, it is possible that the rotatingwheel is formed rotationally symmetrical, in particular cylindrical, inits basic contour and has a diameter of between 20 mm and 80 mm, inparticular between 35 mm and 60 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 50 mm.In this regard, it is of advantage that a rotating wheel constructedsuch may be easily handled by the machine operator. It may moreover beachieved by a cylindrical embodiment of the rotating wheel that the handof the machine operator may easily slide along the rotating wheelaxially and that thus, the individual input commands may be issuedeasily.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it may be provided for that thesensor element or the sensor elements are designed as capacitivesensors. In this regard, it is of advantage that thus designed sensorshave a high sensitivity and thus provide a good detectability of theposition of the hand of the machine operator.

As an alternative to this, it may be provided for that the sensorelement or the sensor elements are realized by a conductivitymeasurement. This may be a particularly cost-effective and robustembodiment for metal rotating wheels.

In particular, it may be of advantage if the sensor element or thesensor elements are designed pressure-sensitively and capable ofdetecting a magnitude of an action force of a hand of the machineoperator. In this regard, it is of advantage that by this measure, acommand depending on the action force may be issued to the controller ofthe machine. This may for example be a multi-stage confirmation commandor for instance a speed control and the like.

Moreover, it may be provided for that a display and a push button arearranged on the operating element body. In this regard, it is ofadvantage that by means of the display, the executed input commands/thepossible choices may be visualized for the machine operator. By means ofthe push button, additional input commands may be allowed for. Inparticular, it may be provided for that the display is designed as atouch display or as a multi-touch display. In this regard, it may beprovided for that the push button is shown/realized in the touch displayor in the multi-touch display.

Where, in the statements below, reference is made to contact of thefirst sensor region, a contact of the first sensor region withoutsimultaneous contact of the second sensor region is meant. Wherereference is made to contact of the second sensor region, a contact ofthe second sensor region with simultaneous contact of the first sensorregion is meant.

Furthermore, a method for inputting a command into the controller of theelectrically controlled machine while using an operating element isprovided for. The operating element preferably comprises an operatingelement body and a rotating wheel arranged on the operating element bodyin a rotatable manner about a rotational axis, wherein the rotatingwheel comprises a gripping region and at least one sensor region. Themethod comprises the following method steps:

-   -   gripping the rotating wheel of the operating element in the        gripping region or in one of the sensor regions by means of the        hand of a machine operator;    -   inputting selection commands into the controller of the machine        by turning the rotating wheel of the operating element about a        rotational axis;    -   inputting picking commands into the controller of the machine by        axial movement of the hand of the machine operator in relation        to the rotating wheel, such that the hand of the machine        operator slides from one of the sensor regions into another        sensor region or from the gripping region into one of the sensor        regions or from one of the sensor regions into the gripping        region, wherein this is detected by the respectively concerned        sensor element and the confirmation command is thereby input.

The advantage of the method according to the invention is that with justone rotating wheel, several picking commands may be input by turning therotating wheel/several confirmation commands may be input by axialmovement of the hand of the machine operator, into the controller of theelectrically controlled machine. Hence, control of the machine by themachine operator which is intuitive and as easy as possible and swiftlyis allowed for. Moreover, the operating element may be constructed aseasily as possible and thus be robust and little prone to errors. Thesaving of time when operating the machine by means of the operatingelement also proved to be a great advantage. Due to the facilitatedoperability of the machine, false command inputs may widely be avoidedby the machine operator.

Moreover, the method steps stated below may be of advantage.

An embodiment, according to which it may be provided for that fornavigating between different menu items, the rotating wheel of theoperating element is gripped in a first sensor region only and thatnavigating between the different menu items is carried out by turningthe rotating wheel and that by axial movement of the hand of the machineoperator from the first sensor region into a second sensor region, aconfirmation command is input into the controller of the machine andthat the selected menu item is confirmed and thereby opened, is alsoadvantageous. As regards axial movement of the hand of the machineoperator, it may on the one hand be provided for that the entire hand ofthe machine operator is moved until the second sensor region iscontacted by the fingertips. Alternatively, it may also be provided forthat merely individual fingers are stretched out/moved forward until thefingertips contact the second sensor region. In particular, it may beprovided for that when the hand is moved for performing the confirmationcommand, both the first and the second sensor region are contacted.According to a further embodiment, it is possible that for navigatingbetween different menu items, the rotating wheel of the operatingelement is gripped in the second sensor region and that navigatingbetween the different menu items is carried out by turning the rotatingwheel and that by axial movement of the hand of the machine operatorfrom the second sensor region into the first sensor region or byreleasing the rotating wheel, a confirmation command is input into thecontroller of the machine and that the selected menu item is confirmedand thereby opened.

Moreover, it may be useful if for setting a parameter in a selection ofa plurality of parameters, the rotating wheel of the operating elementis gripped in the first sensor region and navigating between thedifferent parameters is carried out by turning the rotating wheel, andby axial movement of the hand of the machine operator from the firstsensor region into the secand sensor region, a confirmation command isinput into the controller of the machine and the selected parameter isconfirmed and thereby opened and made editable, and that subsequently,the hand of the machine operator is again moved into the first sensorregion and a selection between the individual digits of the parameter tobe set may be made by turning the rotating wheel, and again by axialmovement of the hand of the machine operator from the first sensorregion into the second sensor region, a confirmation command is inputinto the controller of the machine and the selected digit becomesadjustable, and that subsequently, the hand of the machine operator isagain moved into the first sensor region and the value of the selecteddigit may be chosen by turning the rotating wheel, and again by axialmovement of the hand of the machine operator from the first sensorregion into the second sensor region, a confirmation command is inputinto the controller of the machine, and the selected value of the digitis confirmed and a new digit may be selected.

In addition to this, it may be provided for that for setting a parameterin a selection of a plurality of parameters, the rotating wheel of theoperating element is gripped in the first sensor region and navigatingbetween the different parameters is carried out by turning the rotatingwheel, and by axial movement of the hand of the machine operator fromthe first sensor region into the second sensor region, a confirmationcommand is input into the controller of the machine and the selectedparameter is confirmed and thereby opened and made editable, and that byturning the rotating wheel with simultaneous holding of the hand of themachine operator in the second sensor region, the entire parameter valueincluding all of its digits is adjusted and that by releasing therotating wheel or by axial movement of the hand of the machine operatorfrom the second sensor region into the first sensor region, the setparameter value is confirmed.

It may further be provided for that for choosing a traversing movementof a drive unit of the electrically controlled machine, the rotatingwheel of the operating element is gripped in the first sensor region,and navigating between the different movement options is carried out byturning the rotating wheel, and by axial movement of the hand of themachine operator from the first sensor region into the second sensorregion, a confirmation command is input into the controller of themachine and the traversing movement is started, wherein the traversingspeed may optionally be varied by turning the rotating wheel during thetraversing movement by selecting a further movement option.

According to a specific embodiment, it is possible that for choosing atraversing movement of a drive unit of the electrically controlledmachine, the rotating wheel of the operating element is gripped in thesecond sensor region, and navigating between the different movementoptions is carried out by turning the rotating wheel, whereinimmediately after the choice of the movement option, a confirmationcommand is input into the controller of the machine and the traversingmovement is started, and wherein the traversing speed may optionally bevaried by turning the rotating wheel during the traversing movement byselecting a further movement option.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it may be provided for that forchoosing a traversing speed of a drive unit of the electricallycontrolled machine, the rotating wheel of the operating element isgripped in the first sensor region, and by turning the rotating wheel,different traversing speeds may be set continuously or in incrementalsteps, and by axial movement of the hand of the machine operator fromthe first sensor region into the second sensor region, a confirmationcommand is input into the controller of the machine and the traversingmovement is started, wherein the traversing speed may optionally bevaried by turning the rotating wheel during the traversing movement.

In particular, it may be advantageous if for choosing a traversing speedof a drive unit of the electrically controlled machine, the rotatingwheel of the operating element is gripped in the second sensor region,and by turning the rotating wheel, different traversing speeds may beset continuously or in incremental steps, wherein immediately after thechoice of the traversing speed, a confirmation command is input into thecontroller of the machine and the traversing movement is started, andwherein the traversing speed may optionally be varied continuously or inincremental steps by turning the rotating wheel during the traversingmovement.

It may further be provided for that by removing the hand from the secondsensor region or by releasing the rotating wheel, the traversingmovement is stopped.

In addition to this, it may be provided for that after the traversingmovement is stopped, the value set for the traversing speed or thetraversing movement remains preselected and that when the hand of themachine operator is moved into the second sensor region again, the driveunit is moved with the preset value for the traversing movement or thetraversing speed.

An embodiment, according to which it may be provided for that after thetraversing movement is stopped, the value set for the traversing speedor the traversing movement is set to zero and a new traversing movementis to be started by previously determining the traversing movement andthe traversing movement, is also advantageous.

According to a further embodiment, it is possible that by pushing thepush button twice, a main menu is displayed on the display and isaccessible for further commands

It may further be useful if by pushing the push button twice, apredefinable submenu, in particular a menu for choosing a traversingmovement of a drive unit of the electrically controlled machine, isdisplayed on the display and is accessible for further commands By thismeasure, the menu guidance of the machine may be accelerated, as afrequently used menu may be assigned to the command.

In addition to this, it may be provided for that by holding down thepush button, several error messages may be acknowledged at the sametime. This may particularly be of advantage if several errors occur andthe machine operator does not want to acknowledge each error messageindividually. Hence, saving of time may be achieved.

It may further be provided for that for navigating between the differenthierarchy levels of submenus, the rotating wheel of the operatingelement is gripped in the gripping region and navigating betweendifferent submenu levels may be carried out by turning the rotatingwheel. By this measure, the machine operator may navigate out of asubmenu/back into the submenu.

All sensors arranged on the rotating wheel may be designed as individualsensor elements which are provided for detecting the respectivelyassociated sensor region. However, it is also conceivable that two or aplurality of sensor elements are assigned to a sensor region, whichdetect the sensor region. The provision of several sensor elements for asensor region may provide the advantage that a redundancy is allowed forand thus, failure of a sensor element may be compensated for. This mayin particular be required for increasing the safety of machinery.

In particular, it may be provided for that the sensor elements aredesigned for detecting contacts by the machine operator in certainregions of the rotating wheel.

The sensor elements as such may for example be designed as resistivesensors.

Another possibility is that the sensor elements are designed in form ofoptical sensors.

In general, the sensor elements may be realized as any sensor elementssuitable for detecting a contact of the rotating wheel by the hand ofthe machine operator.

The sensor elements may be arranged on the surface of the rotatingwheel, or cast into the rotating wheel or integrated by means of othermeasures such as the provision of corresponding receiving regions.

In a first embodiment, it may be provided for that the rotating wheel isformed from a metal material.

In a further embodiment, it may be provided for that the rotating wheelis formed from a plastic material.

In addition to this, it may also be provided for that the rotating wheelis formed as a compound component of different materials.

For the purpose of better understanding of the invention, it will beelucidated in more detail by means of the figures below.

These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

FIG. 1 a layout of a manufacturing plant with a machine, a controllerand an operating element;

FIG. 2 the operating element as viewed from a front view;

FIG. 3 the operating element as viewed from a side view;

FIG. 4 the operating element as viewed from a side view with a hand of amachine operator in the gripping region;

FIG. 5 the operating element as viewed from a side view with the hand ofthe machine operator in the first sensor region;

FIG. 6 the operating element as viewed from a side view with the hand ofthe machine operator in the first and second sensor regions;

FIG. 7 the operating element as viewed from a side view with the hand ofthe machine operator on the peripheral section of an offset;

FIG. 8 the operating element as viewed from a front view with therepresentation of a home screen on the display;

FIG. 9 the operating element as viewed from a front view with therepresentation of a parameter setting screen on the display;

FIG. 10 the operating element as viewed from a front view with therepresentation of a parameter setting screen and a selected parametervalue on the display;

FIG. 11 the operating element as viewed from a front view with therepresentation of a traversing movement screen on the display;

FIG. 12 the operating element as viewed from a front view with therepresentation of a traversing speed screen on the display;

FIG. 13 the operating element as viewed from a front view with therepresentation of a traversing speed screen and a set traversing speedvalue on the display;

FIG. 14 the operating element as viewed from a front view with therepresentation of a submenu selection screen on the display.

First of all, it is to be noted that in the different embodimentsdescribed, equal parts are provided with equal reference numbers/equalcomponent designations, where the disclosures contained in the entiredescription may be analogously transferred to equal parts with equalreference numbers/equal component designations. Moreover, thespecifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, at theside, chosen in the description refer to the directly described anddepicted figure and in case of a change of position, thesespecifications of location are to be analogously transferred to the newposition.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a manufacturing plant 1 withan electrically controlled machine 2, a controller 3 for the machine 2and an operating element 4 for inputting control commands into thecontroller 3 by a machine operator 5. In particular, it is provided forthat the machine operator 5 operates the operating element 4 with theirhand 6.

The machine 2 may for example be an injection molding machine. Moreover,it is also conceivable that the machine 2 is a robot or another machinein industrial application. In particular, it may be provided for thatthe machine 2 serves the purpose of manufacturing components.

The controller 3 may be formed by any conceivable type of controller.This may for example be an industrial computer, a programmable logiccontroller or another controller suitable for converting the commandsinput via the operating element 4 into movement commands for the machine2.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the operating element 4 is shown as viewed from afront view/in a side view.

As is apparent from these two figures, it may be provided for that theoperating element 4 comprises an operating element body 7 whichconstitutes the central component of the operating element 4 and whichmay for example be defined by a housing. Moreover, it may be providedfor that a display 8 is incorporated in the operating element body 7.The display 8 serves the purpose of displaying menu items, speedsettings and other parameters or options, which are required forcontrolling the machine 2. In a further embodiment variant, it may alsobe provided for that the display 8 is not integrated in the operatingelement 4 but that the display 8 is arranged at another location in themanufacturing plant 1.

In addition to this, it may be provided for that the operating element 4is stationarily arranged on the manufacturing plant 1 and coupled to themanufacturing plant 1 by means of a wired connection.

In an alternative embodiment variant, it may also be provided for thatthe operating element 4 is designed in form of a remote control andcommunicates with the controller 3 via a wireless connection.

Moreover, it may be provided for that the controller 3 is integrated inthe operating element 4 and that the control commands are provided tothe machine 2 directly by the operating element 4.

As is further apparent from FIG. 2, it may be provided for that one orseveral push buttons 9 are arranged on the operating element 4. The pushbuttons 9 may serve the purpose of inputting diverse commands into theoperating element 4 by the machine operator 5.

According to the invention, a rotating wheel 10, which is rotatablerelative to the operating element body 7 about a rotational axis 11, isarranged on the operating element body 7. The rotating wheel 10constitutes a central part of the operating element 4. The push button 9may optionally be excluded from the operating element body 7 and itsfunction may also be realized in the rotating wheel 10.

Contrary to the embodiments known from the prior art, it is provided forthat the rotating wheel 10 is mounted to the operating element body 7merely rotatable about the rotational axis 11. Due to the embodiment ofthe rotating wheel 10 described in more detail below, it is notnecessary that it is axially movable/pivotable relative to the operatingelement body 7.

As the rotating wheel 10 is incorporated in the operating element body 7in a rotatable manner only, the connecting point between the rotatingwheel 10 and the operating element body 7 may be designed in form of asimple rotation sensor, which is why the rotating wheel 10 exhibits alower error-proneness.

In particular, it may be provided for that the rotating wheel 10 has alateral surface 12 which surrounds the rotational axis 11 and serves thepurpose that the machine operator 5 may grip the rotating wheel 10 andturn it about its rotational axis 11. In particular, it may be providedfor that the lateral surface 12 of the rotating wheel 10 is formedessentially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the rotational axis11 and comprises a diameter 13.

In a specific embodiment, it may be provided for that the rotating wheel10 is formed essentially cylindrical. Moreover, it may be provided forthat structural elements, which may improve the grip of the hand 6 ofthe machine operator 5 on the rotating wheel 10, are formed on thelateral surface 12 of the rotating wheel 10. In particular, it may beprovided for that the structural elements on the lateral surface 12 aredesigned in form of ribs/grooves parallel to the rotational axis 11,such that it is allowed for that the machine operator 5 moves their hand6 on the rotating wheel 10 axially along the rotational axis 11.

It may further be provided for that an offset 14, which serves as a stopfor the hand of the machine operator 5, is formed on the rotating wheel10 and that the machine operator 5 is thus aware of the position oftheir hand 6. In particular, it may be provided for that a front side 15of the offset 14 serves as a stop for the hand 6 of the machine operator5. It may further be provided for that the offset 14 comprises aperipheral region 16, which the machine operator 5 may also grip and usefor turning the rotating wheel 10.

It may further be provided for that a first sensor region 17, which isdetected by a first sensor element 18, is formed on the rotating wheel10. The first sensor region 17 may for example be formed on the lateralsurface 12 of the rotating wheel 10. It may further be provided for thata gripping region 19, which has an axial distance from the first sensorregion 17, is formed on the lateral surface 12 of the rotating wheel 10.It may particularly be provided for that no sensor element is arrangedin the gripping region 19.

As is further apparent from FIG. 3, it may be provided for that thefirst sensor region 17 is arranged closer to the operating element body7 than the gripping region 19. It may particularly be provided for thatthe first sensor region 17 is arranged directly adjoining the front side15 of the offset 14.

The first sensor region 17 may be entirely formed on the rotating wheel10 and comprise a sufficiently large axial extension for detecting thehand 6 of the machine operator 5.

It may further be provided for that a second sensor region 20 with asecond sensor element 21 is arranged on the rotating wheel 10. It mayparticularly be provided for that that the second sensor region 20 isentirely formed on the front side 15 of the offset 14.

In a further embodiment variant, it may be provided for that the secondsensor region 20 extends from the front side 15 of the offset 14 intothe peripheral region 16 of the offset 14.

FIGS. 4 through 7 show different possible postures of the hand 6 of themachine operator 5.

In FIGS. 4 through 6, the operating element 4, as represented in FIG. 3,is used.

In FIG. 4, a first possibility of how the rotating wheel 10 of theoperating element 4 may be gripped is shown. According to therepresentation in FIG. 4, the rotating wheel 10 may be gripped in thegripping region 19, wherein it may be provided for that no sensorelement is formed in the gripping region 19. Due to the fact that it maybe provided for that all other regions of the rotating wheel 10 areequipped with sensor elements, in case of a rotation movement on therotating wheel 10, the hand 6 of the machine operator 5 mayunambiguously be assigned to the gripping region 19.

As is apparent from FIG. 5, it may also be provided for that the hand 6of the machine operator 5 grips the rotating wheel 10 in the firstsensor region 17. This may also trigger a separate command in thecontroller 3 of the machine 2.

It may further be provided for that, as shown in FIG. 6, the hand 6 ofthe machine operator 5 grips the rotating wheel 10 such that both thefirst sensor region 17 and the second sensor region 20 on the front side15 of the offset 14 are contacted. This may also trigger a separatecommand. For the purpose of abbreviation, this is referred to asgripping the rotating wheel 10 in the second sensor region 20.

For example, it is possible that the hand 6 of the machine operator 5slides from a posture as represented in FIG. 5 into a posture asrepresented in FIG. 6. This movement is preferably used as confirmationcommand.

Furthermore, as represented in FIG. 7, the hand 6 of the machineoperator 5 may grip the rotating wheel 10 also on the peripheral region16 of the offset 14. If the second sensor region 20 extends across thefront side 15 and the peripheral region 16 of the offset 14, thisresults in the second sensor region 20 being activated.

FIG. 7 shows a further and possibly independent embodiment of therotating wheel 10, wherein again, equal reference numbers/componentdesignations are used for equal parts as in FIGS. 1 through 6 above. Inorder to avoid unnecessary repetitions, it is pointed to/reference ismade to the detailed description in FIGS. 1 through 6 preceding it.

According to the embodiment in FIG. 7, it is also conceivable that athird sensor region 22, which is detected by a third sensor element 23,is formed in the peripheral region 16 of the offset 14. In such anembodiment, contacting the front side 15 of the offset 14 and contactingthe peripheral region 16 of the offset 14 may respectively triggerdifferent commands. For example, it is also conceivable that when athird sensor region 22 is used, the hand 6 of the machine operator 5 ispositioned according to the representations in FIG. 5 or 6 and only oneor several fingers are placed on the third sensor region 22 to trigger acertain command.

It may further be provided for that a fourth sensor region 25 with afourth sensor element 26 is formed on a front side 24 of the rotatingwheel 10. Such a fourth sensor region 25 may also serve the purpose ofinputting control commands.

In addition to this, it may be provided for that further sensor regionsare formed on the rotating wheel 10.

A possible method for inputting control commands into the controller 3of the manufacturing plant 1 is described by means of FIGS. 8 through13. The individual method steps may for example be carried out with anoperating element 4, as represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, with two sensorregions. In particular, the hand postures as shown in FIGS. 4 through 6may be used in this regard.

In FIG. 8, a main screen/home screen is shown on the display 8. The mainscreen/home screen may for example appear if the manufacturing plant1/the operating element 4 is initially started. It is furtherconceivable that the home screen is activated at any given moment by thepush button 9 being pushed twice.

Of course, it is also conceivable that the command for showing the mainscreen is given by a special posture of the hand 6 of the machineoperator 5 on the rotating wheel 10. The third sensor region 22 and/orthe fourth sensor region 25 may serve as corresponding input elementsfor this purpose.

As is apparent from FIG. 8, it may be provided for that several submenuitems, which are represented by way of example in blocks A through D,are retrievable in the main screen. The individual submenu items may forexample serve the purpose of inputting parameters for the machine 2/oftraveling individual drive units in the machine 2 or of other adjustmentpossibilities.

In a first mode, it may be provided for that the main screen, asrepresented in FIG. 8, is shown, wherein none of the submenus A throughD is selected. By gripping the rotating wheel 10 in the first sensorregion 17, as represented in FIG. 5, a selection field may be drawn overthe first submenu A. By subsequent turning of the rotating wheel 10, theselection field may be moved onto a desired submenu A to D and theselected submenu may be opened by subsequent moving forward of the hand6 according to the representation in FIG. 6 and thereby executing theconfirmation command.

In a second mode, it is also conceivable that the rotating wheel 10 isgripped such according to the representation in FIG. 6 that both thefirst sensor region 17 and the second sensor region 20 are activated,wherein submenu A may also be selected. Here, it is also conceivablethat by turning the rotating wheel 10 a selection between the individualsubmenus A to D may be made. By subsequent removal of the hand 6 fromthe posture according to FIG. 6, the selected submenu may be opened.This may for example be achieved by moving the hand 6 from the postureaccording to FIG. 6 into a posture according to FIG. 5 or by completeremoval of the hand 6 from the rotating wheel 10.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the screen of a first submenu, which may for exampleserve the purpose of inputting parameter values, is represented.

As is apparent from FIG. 9, it may be provided for that in submenu A,further submenus for setting the parameters values, such as A.a or A.bfor selecting individual parameter values, may be provided. By grippingthe rotating wheel 10 in the first sensor region 17 according to therepresentation in FIG. 5, a selection field may be drawn over submenuA.a, wherein the current parameter value for the respectively selectedparameter may be displayed in an upper region of the screen. By turningthe rotating wheel 10, the selection field may be moved between theindividual parameters. In order to adjust a specific parameter, therespectively selected parameter may be chosen by the confirmationcommand, thus by short moving forward of the hand 6 into the postureaccording to FIG. 5.

In this respect, according to the representation in FIG. 10, a specificdigit of the parameter value may be made selectable, wherein by turningthe rotating wheel 10, a selection may be made between the individualdigits of the parameter value and by a new confirmation command of thehand 6, a specific digit may be made adjustable, wherein by turning therotating wheel 10, the value of the digit may be adjusted andsubsequently be confirmed by a further confirmation command by means ofmoving forward of the hand 6. Subsequently, a further digit of theparameter value may be adjusted.

In a second mode, it is also conceivable that analogously to the secondmode described in the home menu, the rotating wheel 10 is directlygripped in the first sensor region 17 and second sensor region 20according to the representation in FIG. 6 for selecting individualparameter values/digits of a parameter and a value of the digits of theparameter. When subsequently moving the hand 6 from a posture accordingto the representation of FIG. 6 into a posture according to therepresentation of FIG. 5/when releasing the rotating wheel 10, theconfirmation command may be triggered. It is further conceivable that inthe second mode, if the rotating wheel 10 is directly gripped in thefirst sensor region 17 and second sensor region 20 according to therepresentation in FIG. 6, not individual value digits of the parametervalue are adjustable but that the parameter value as a whole isadjustable.

In FIG. 11, a submenu for setting a traversing movement for a specificdrive unit is represented.

As is apparent from FIG. 11, it may be provided for that for example aforward movement in two different predetermined traversing speeds/abackward movement in two different predetermined traversing speeds andalso a traversing stop are selectable. In a first mode, it may again beprovided for that the rotating wheel 10 is gripped in the first sensorregion 17 according to the representation in FIG. 5, wherein a selectionfield is drawn over the block traversing stop. Subsequently, the desiredtraversing option may be selected by turning the rotating wheel 10 andthe confirmation command may again be given by moving forward of thehand 6. Hence, the desired and preselected traversing movement may beinitiated.

During execution of the traversing movement, it is conceivable that afurther desired traversing movement is selected and again chosen byconfirmation by moving forward of the hand 6.

In particular, it may be provided for that the traversing movement isonly carried out as long as the hand 6 is in one of the sensor regionsand that the traversing movement is stopped when the rotating wheel 10is released.

In a second mode, it may again be provided for that the rotating wheel10 is gripped in the first sensor region 17 and in the second sensorregion 20 according to the representation in FIG. 6 and the machine stopis thereby selected. By subsequent turning of the rotating wheel, therespective traversing position may be selected, wherein the traversingmovement of the machine 2 is started immediately after the choice of therespective traversing position and a separate starting command is notrequired.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, a further submenu for choosing a traversing speedfor the drive unit of the machine 2 is represented. It may be providedfor in this respect, that by gripping the rotating wheel 10 in the firstsensor region 17 according to the representation in FIG. 5, the speedarrow is activated and by turning the rotating wheel 10, a specifictraversing speed is preselected. The set traversing speed may berepresented on the display 8 for example graphically by an arrow or by anumeric value. With subsequent confirmation of the numeric value of thetraversing speed set according to FIG. 13, the traversing movement maybe started. The confirmation and starting of the traversing movement mayalso be triggered by moving forward of the hand 6 into the postureaccording to FIG. 5. Subsequently, a further traversing speed mayoptionally be chosen and also be activated by confirmation.

Here, a second mode may also be provided for, in which the rotatingwheel 10 is gripped in the first sensor region 17 and in the secondsensor region 20 according to the representation in FIG. 6 and thetraversing movement of the drive unit is directly started by subsequentturning of the rotating wheel 10 and the speed may be varied by turningthe rotating wheel 10.

In the first two modes of speed setting according to FIGS. 12 and 13, itis also conceivable that when the rotating wheel 10 is released, thetraversing movement is stopped immediately.

According to a representation in FIG. 14, it is conceivable thatchoosing/changing between individual submenu levels is achieved by therotating wheel 10 being gripped in the gripping region 19 according tothe representation in FIG. 4. By turning the rotating wheel 10, aselection between the individual level hierarchies may be made. Bymoving forward of the hand 6 into the first sensor region 17 accordingto the representation in FIG. 5 or into the second sensor region 20according to the representation in FIG. 6, a selection of therespectively selected level hierarchy may be achieved.

The embodiments show possible embodiment variants, and it should benoted in this respect that the invention is not restricted to theseparticular illustrated embodiment variants of it, but that rather alsovarious combinations of the individual embodiment variants are possibleand that this possibility of variation owing to the teaching fortechnical action provided by the present invention lies within theability of the person skilled in the art in this technical field.

The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, thedescription and the drawings are to be adduced for construing theclaims. Individual features or feature combinations from the differentembodiments shown and described may represent independent inventivesolutions. The object underlying the independent inventive solutions maybe gathered from the description.

All indications regarding ranges of values in the present descriptionare to be understood such that these also comprise random and allpartial ranges from it, for example, the indication 1 to 10 is to beunderstood such that it comprises all partial ranges based on the lowerlimit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e. all partial ranges start with alower limit of 1 or larger and end with an upper limit of 10 or less,for example 1 through 1.7, or 3.2 through 8.1, or 5.5 through 10.

Finally, as a matter of form, it should be noted that for ease ofunderstanding of the structure, elements are partially not depicted toscale and/or are enlarged and/or are reduced in size.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 manufacturing plant-   2 machine-   3 controller-   4 operating element-   5 machine operator-   6 hand-   7 operating element body-   8 display-   9 push button-   10 rotating wheel-   11 rotational axis-   12 lateral surface-   13 diameter-   14 offset-   15 front side of offset-   16 peripheral region of offset-   17 first sensor region-   18 first sensor element-   19 gripping region-   20 second sensor region-   21 second sensor element-   22 third sensor region-   23 third sensor element-   24 front side of rotating wheel-   25 fourth sensor region-   26 fourth sensor element

1. An operating element (4) for an electrically controlled machine (2),with an operating element body (7) and a rotating wheel (10) forinputting a command into a controller (3) of the machine (2), whereinthe rotating wheel (10) is arranged on the operating element body (7) ina rotatable manner about a rotational axis (11), and the rotational axis(11) is surrounded by a lateral surface (12), on which the rotatingwheel (10) may be gripped and rotated by a machine operator (5), whereinthe lateral surface (12) of the rotating wheel (10) is equipped with afirst sensor region (17) which is detected by at least one first sensorelement (18), by means of which a contact of the first sensor region(17) by the machine operator (5) may be detected, and wherein a grippingregion (19) arranged at a distance from the first sensor region (17) isformed on the lateral surface (12) of the rotating wheel (10).
 2. Theoperating element according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor region(17) and the gripping region (19) are arranged at an axial distance fromone another, wherein the first sensor region (17) is entirely formed onthe lateral surface (12) of the rotating wheel (10).
 3. The operatingelement according to claim 1, wherein the lateral surface (12) of therotating wheel (10) is equipped with a second sensor region (20), onwhich at least one second sensor element (21) is arranged, wherein thefirst sensor region (17) and the second sensor region (20) are arrangedat an axial distance from one another on the rotating wheel (10).
 4. Theoperating element according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor region(17) is arranged closer to the operating element body (7) than thegripping region (19).
 5. The operating element according to claim 2,wherein the second sensor region (20) is arranged closer to theoperating element body (7) than the first sensor region (17).
 6. Theoperating element according to claim 1, wherein the lateral surface (12)of the rotating wheel (10) comprises an offset (14), wherein inparticular the first sensor region (17) or the second sensor region (20)are arranged on a front side (15) on the offset (14).
 7. The operatingelement according to claim 6, wherein the first sensor region (17) orthe second sensor region (20) extend from the front side (15) of theoffset (14) into a peripheral region (16) of the offset (14).
 8. Theoperating element according to claim 6, wherein in a peripheral region(16) of the offset (14), a third sensor region (22) with at least onethird sensor element (23) is formed.
 9. The operating element accordingto claim 1, wherein no sensor element is arranged in the gripping region(19) of the rotating wheel (10).
 10. The operating element according toclaim 1, wherein the rotating wheel (10) is formed rotationallysymmetrical, in particular cylindrical, in its basic contour and has adiameter (13) of between 20 mm and 80 mm, in particular between 35 mmand 60 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 50 mm.
 11. The operating elementaccording to claim 1, wherein the sensor element or the sensor elements(18, 21, 23) are designed as capacitive sensors.
 12. The operatingelement according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element or the sensorelements (18, 21, 23) are realized by a conductivity measurement. 13.The operating element according to claim 1, wherein the sensor elementor the sensor elements (18, 21, 23) are designed pressure-sensitivelyand capable of detecting a magnitude of an action force of a hand (6) ofthe machine operator (5).
 14. The operating element according to claim1, wherein a display (8) and a push button (9) are arranged on theoperating element body (7).
 15. A method for inputting a command intothe controller (3) of the electrically controlled machine (2) whileusing an operating element (4) with an operating element body (7) and arotating wheel (10) arranged on the operating element body (7) in arotatable manner about a rotational axis (11), wherein the rotatingwheel (10) comprises a gripping region (19) and at least one sensorregion (17, 20, 22), while using the operating element (4) according toclaim 1, the method comprising the following method steps: gripping therotating wheel (10) of the operating element (4) in the gripping region(19) or in one of the sensor regions (17, 20, 22) by means of the hand(6) of a machine operator (5); inputting selection commands into thecontroller (3) of the machine (2) by turning the rotating wheel (10) ofthe operating element (4) about a rotational axis (11); inputtingpicking commands into the controller (3) of the machine (2) by axialmovement of the hand (6) of the machine operator (5) in relation to therotating wheel (10), such that the hand (6) of the machine operator (5)slides from one of the sensor regions (17, 20, 22) into another sensorregion (17, 20, 22) or from the gripping region (19) into one of thesensor regions (17, 20, 22) or from one of the sensor regions (17, 20,22) into the gripping region (19), wherein this is detected by therespectively concerned sensor element (18, 21, 23) and the confirmationcommand is thereby input.
 16. The method according to claim 15, whereinfor navigating between different menu items, the rotating wheel (10) ofthe operating element (4) is gripped in a first sensor region (17) andnavigating between the different menu items is carried out by turningthe rotating wheel (10) and by axial movement of the hand (6) of themachine operator (5) from the first sensor region (17) into a secondsensor region (20), a confirmation command is input into the controller(3) of the machine (2) and wherein the selected menu item is confirmedand thereby opened.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein fornavigating between different menu items, the rotating wheel (10) of theoperating element (4) is gripped in the second sensor region (20) andnavigating between the different menu items is carried out by turningthe rotating wheel (10) and by axial movement of the hand (6) of themachine operator (5) from the second sensor region (20) into the firstsensor region (17) or by releasing the rotating wheel (10), aconfirmation command is input into the controller (3) of the machine (2)and that the selected menu item is confirmed and thereby opened.
 18. Themethod according to claim 15, wherein for setting a parameter in aselection of a plurality of parameters, the rotating wheel (10) of theoperating element (4) is gripped in the first sensor region (17) andnavigating between the different parameters is carried out by turningthe rotating wheel (10), and by axial movement of the hand (6) of themachine operator (5) from the first sensor region (17) into the secondsensor region (20), a confirmation command is input into the controller(3) of the machine (2) and the selected parameter is confirmed andthereby opened and made editable, and wherein subsequently, the hand (6)of the machine operator (5) is again moved into the first sensor region(17) and a selection between the individual digits of the parameter tobe set may be made by turning the rotating wheel (10), and again byaxial movement of the hand (6) of the machine operator (5) from thefirst sensor region (17) into the second sensor region (20), aconfirmation command is input into the controller (3) of the machine (2)and the selected digit becomes adjustable, and wherein subsequently, thehand (6) of the machine operator (5) is again moved into the firstsensor region (17) and the value of the selected digit may be chosen byturning the rotating wheel (10), and again by axial movement of the hand(6) of the machine operator (5) from the first sensor region (17) intothe second sensor region (20), a confirmation command is input into thecontroller (3) of the machine (2), and the selected value of the digitis confirmed and a new digit may be selected.
 19. The method accordingto claim 15, wherein for setting a parameter in a selection of aplurality of parameters, the rotating wheel (10) of the operatingelement (4) is gripped in the first sensor region (17) and navigatingbetween the different parameters is carried out by turning the rotatingwheel (10), and by axial movement of the hand (6) of the machineoperator (5) from the first sensor region (17) into the second sensorregion (20), a confirmation command is input into the controller (3) ofthe machine (2) and the selected parameter is confirmed and therebyopened and made editable, and wherein by turning the rotating wheel (10)with simultaneous holding of the hand (6) of the machine operator (5) inthe second sensor region (20), the entire parameter value including allof its digits is adjusted, and wherein by releasing the rotating wheel(10) or by axial movement of the hand (6) of the machine operator (5)from the second sensor region (20) into the first sensor region (17),the set parameter value is confirmed.
 20. The method according to claim15, wherein for choosing a traversing movement of a drive unit of theelectrically controlled machine (2), the rotating wheel (10) of theoperating element (4) is gripped in the first sensor region (17), andnavigating between the different movement options is carried out byturning the rotating wheel (10), and by axial movement of the hand (6)of the machine operator (5) from the first sensor region (17) into thesecond sensor region (20), a confirmation command is input into thecontroller (3) of the machine (2) and the traversing movement isstarted, wherein the traversing speed may optionally be varied byturning the rotating wheel (10) during the traversing movement byselecting a further movement option.
 21. The method according to claim15, wherein for choosing a traversing movement of a drive unit of theelectrically controlled machine (2), the rotating wheel (10) of theoperating element (4) is gripped in the second sensor region (20), andnavigating between the different movement options is carried out byturning the rotating wheel (10), wherein immediately after the choice ofthe movement option, a confirmation command is input into the controller(3) of the machine (2) and the traversing movement is started, andwherein the traversing speed may optionally be varied by turning therotating wheel (10) during the traversing movement by selecting afurther movement option.
 22. The method according to claim 15, whereinfor choosing a traversing speed of a drive unit of the electricallycontrolled machine (2), the rotating wheel (10) of the operating element(4) is gripped in the first sensor region (17), and by turning therotating wheel (10), different traversing speeds may be set continuouslyor in incremental steps, and by axial movement of the hand (6) of themachine operator (5) from the first sensor region (17) into the secondsensor region (20), a confirmation command is input into the controller(3) of the machine (2) and the traversing movement is started, whereinthe traversing speed may optionally be varied by turning the rotatingwheel (10) during the traversing movement.
 23. The method according toclaim 15, wherein for choosing a traversing speed of a drive unit of theelectrically controlled machine (2), the rotating wheel (10) of theoperating element (4) is gripped in the second sensor region (20), andby turning the rotating wheel (10), different traversing speeds may beset continuously or in incremental steps, wherein immediately after thechoice of the traversing speed, a confirmation command is input into thecontroller (3) of the machine (2) and the traversing movement isstarted, and wherein the traversing speed may optionally be variedcontinuously or in incremental steps by turning the rotating wheel (10)during the traversing movement.
 24. The method according to claim 20,wherein by removing the hand (6) from the second sensor region (20) orby releasing the rotating wheel (10), the traversing movement isstopped.
 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein after thetraversing movement is stopped, the value set for the traversing speedor the traversing movement remains preselected and wherein when the hand(6) of the machine operator (5) is moved into the second sensor region(20) again, the drive unit is moved with the preset value for thetraversing movement or the traversing speed.
 26. The method according toclaim 24, wherein after the traversing movement is stopped, the valueset for the traversing speed or the traversing movement is set to zeroand a new traversing movement is to be started by previously determiningthe traversing movement and the traversing movement.
 27. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein by pushing the push button (9) twice, amain menu is displayed on the display (8) and is accessible for furthercommands.
 28. The method according to claim 15, wherein by pushing thepush button (9) twice, a predefinable submenu, in particular a menu forchoosing a traversing movement of a drive unit of the electricallycontrolled machine (2), is displayed on the display (8) and isaccessible for further commands.
 29. The method according to claim 15,wherein by holding down the push button (9), several error messages maybe acknowledged at the same time.
 30. The method according to claim 15,wherein for navigating between different hierarchy levels of submenus,the rotating wheel (10) of the operating element (4) is gripped in thegripping region (19) and navigating between different submenu levels maybe carried out by turning the rotating wheel (10).